Some of our members give generously of their time to conduct community service flights. The term is used to describe flights that are provided on a private and voluntary basis for public benefit. Many of you are familiar with Angel Flight, but club activities such as Junior Hawks could also be included by this definition.
CASA is asking the question: should there be greater regulation of this class of flight?
Let’s consider the Angel Flight example. Angel Flight is a charity that coordinates non-emergency flights to help country people trying to deal with the triple trouble of bad health, poor finances and daunting distance. It is very careful to ensure that its volunteer pilots are suitably qualified and use properly-maintained aircraft in safe operations. Pilots must hold a PPL and have at least 250 hours PIC to be eligible to become an Angel Flight volunteer pilot. Single-engine operations with clients aboard are limited to daylight hours. For more information about Angel Flight see www.angelflight.org.au.
The Founder and Managing Director of Angel Flight, Bill Bristow AM believes “the intervention of CASA is unnecessary, unwarranted, and unreasonable”.
CASA is seeking industry input on the question. If you would like to contribute to the conversation, the process is very simple: go to the link below, read the preamble, then download the standard Response Form and submit it by post or email. It will only take about 15 minutes of your time. http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_102133
Andrew Eldridge
